he authorities
and the want of harmony among the soldiery, all favored its execution.

About nine o'clock in the evening, the bandits stole quietly out of
Nimes. They reached the Pont du Gard a little before midnight and halted
there to receive their final instructions before ascending the hill upon
the summit of which stood the Chateau de Chamondrin.

Here, they were joined by a dozen or more Bohemians who were encamped
near by, the same men who had accompanied the Catholics on their
expedition that same morning. They approached the bandits in the hope
that a new army was in process of organization for an attack upon the
city, and that they might accompany it. When they saw the band proceed
in the direction of the chateau, they straggled along in the rear. Like
hungry vultures, they seemed to scent a battle from which they might
derive some profit.

The household at Chamondrin chanced to be astir late that evening. The
Marquis, Philip, Antoinette, the cure of Remoulins and two or three
landed proprietors living in the vicinity were in the drawing-room.
After such a day of excitement, no one could think of sleep. They were
discussing the events that had occurred at Nimes, and deploring the
death of the victims. They were anxiously asking if the blood that had
been shed would be the last, and were endeavoring to find means to
prevent the repetition of such a calamity. When the clock struck the
hour of midnight, the cure of Remoulins, an energetic old man named
Peretty, rose to return to the village. The other visitors, whose homes
lay in the same direction and whose carriages were waiting in the
court-yard, followed his example. Suddenly a frightened cry broke the
silence of the night. Followed by the others present, Philip rushed to
the door. The cry had come from the man who guarded the gate.

"We are attacked!" exclaimed this man on seeing Philip.

At a glance the latter understood the extent and the imminence of their
danger. The bright moonlight revealed a terrible sight. The besiegers
had found only one opening through which they could effect an entrance
into the chateau; but even there a heavy gate composed of strong iron
bars opposed their passage. This gate was very high, and the bars were
securely fastened to each other, while the top was surmounted by sharp
pickets. Still, the bandits were not discouraged. Half-crazed with fury
and with wine, they climbed this formidable barrier with the hope of
leaping o